Sevian Frangipane was watching when his friend of nearly a decade, Evan Murray, was sacked during Friday night's home game against Summit.

"It looked like a normal sack," Frangipane said of the hit.

Shortly after, Murray, a three-sport varsity athlete and a starting quarterback for Warren Hills Regional High School since his sophomore year, had died.

It's not yet clear what happened to the senior Friday night. Frangipane estimated the hit happened just a bit after halftime, though he couldn't be sure — it was a hectic and emotional night.

"He walked off the field. And then he passed out, and a trainer came over, and they rushed an ambulance over. He got back up and looked at the crowd, but he looked sort of dazed," Frangipane said. "Like he had no idea where he was."

Frangipane estimated Murray left the game around 9:30. An hour later, Frangipane received a call that his friend had died.

The death shocked and saddened the Warren Hills Community. Dozens of friends and community members were expressing their condolences and disbelief on Twitter, under the hashtag #RIPEvanA GoFundMe.com fundraiser for Murrary's family had collected nearly $6,000 from more than 115 people by mid-day.

"He was basically a hometown hero," Frangipane said.

Murray had played football as a child through the WTP NFL Flag Football program for years, and returned as a volunteer coach and mentor for younger players once he hit high school. Founder Mike Mullen told New Jersey 101.5 it was a reflection of Murray's dedication. Like the other volunteer coaches, he said, Murray "cared a whole lot about these kids."

"At their age, they have so much to do over the weekend — but they give their whole Sundays to us," he said.

Frangipane described his friend as a top-10-percent student and a gifted athlete who played football, baseball and basketball for the regional school district. Even when they were together in the youth football program, Murray wanted to someday be a quarterback, he said. They'd run plays around a trampoline in Murray's backyard to get better."

"You could tell he just stood out," Frangipane said. "It's crazy to be that talented in three sports."

Frangipane said Murray was "amazing at everything he put his mind to" — and a true friend who'd helped others through difficult times. On the fundraiser, organizer Taylor Coughlin described him as a "a bright kid who excelled in academics and sports."

"Evan was always doing something to give back to his community. Please help us while we help the Murray family in their time of need," she wrote.

Calls to Warren Hills' athletic director and coach have not yet been returned. But interim schools Superintendent Gary Bowen said on the school's website grief counselors would be available for students at the Warren County high school  Saturday.

"We are deeply saddened and sincerely appreciate the support and caring of our close-knit greater Warren Hills community," he wrote.

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